Unai Emery expects Villarreal to ‘feel the force’ of Manchester United

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Manchester United will be reunited with Villarreal in the Champions League after being drawn against the Spanish side in the group stages.

Villarreal beat United on penalties in the Europa League final last season after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

This meant Villarreal were top seeds for the Champions League groups, and United landed one of the softer draws by being drawn against them.

Beating them won’t be easy. In four Champions League meetings between the sides before, all of them have finished 0-0.

The difference now is Cristiano Ronaldo, who gives United a real edge.

Villarreal boss Unai Emery is wary of the challenge ahead for his side.

Speaking to the Villarreal website, Emery said: “Obviously, the big club in the group is Manchester United.

“We’ll meet again and feel the force of those players who are some of the best in the world.”

The other two teams in the group are Atalanta and Young Boys.

United kick off and end the campaign against the Swiss side, with the first match taking place away from home.

The Red Devils’ first fixture will be at home to Emery’s Villarreal.

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